Category Archives: Archive

Campus Announcements Archive

Tips to stay safe online

Much of our work and leisure now takes place online, which means internet safety is a critical issue. Here are five simple tips on to stay safe online.

Use unique passwords
Using the same pass­word for logging into multiple accounts is convenient, but it also makes things easier for hackers. When hackers steal your pass­word, they can get into every account that password was used. To be safe online, use strong and unique pass­words.

Log out from services
When you’re done with a banking session or another system with sensitive information, log out and close your browsing window. This is especially important when you’re at an internet café or other public space outside the safety of your home. Logging out reduces the likelihood your browser will be tricked into sending requests for unauthorized transactions, such as a bank transfer, to sites you are logged in to.

Keep your soft­ware up to date
Software is written by humans, and humans make mistakes. That’s why soft­ware can include flaws that compromise Internet safety. Hackers scan the internet for computers running old soft­ware versions containing flaws and target those computers. Enable automatic updates or update software when prompted to stay safe from these online attacks.

Take back-ups
Ransom­ware is a type of malware that encrypts the files on your device and demands a ransom to be paid for decryption. Ransomware is becoming increasingly dangerous for individuals and organizations. No one wants to open a computer to find they can’t access any documents, photos, or videos. To be safe online, take back­ups in case your device gets lost, stolen, or infected by ransomware or another type of malware.

Beware of phishing attacks
Phishing attempts to trick you into opening a malicious link or email attachment. Attackers use phishing to infect your device with malware, or to steal your login credentials. If you receive a suspicious email, be wary. Take extra care before clicking links or opening attachments. Remember phishing isn’t only via email — you can receive phishing links in SMS messages or chats as well.

 To help you recognize phishing attempts, ITS will continue to simulate phishing and assign training to those most susceptible. If you believe you’ve been targeted by phishing, see Reporting a Phishing Message (How-to).

— Chris Mielke, ITS

News & Achievements Archive

Drake’s actuarial science program recognized with Casualty Actuarial Society University Award

The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) has recognized Drake University with the 2022 CAS University Award. This honor is in acknowledgement of the exemplary ways the University’s actuarial science program prepares students for careers in the property and casualty insurance industry. The CAS cited the opportunities for Drake students to gain exposure to the sector through the program’s curriculum, research, and industry engagement as innovative. 

“This award is a reflection of our focus on continuous improvement to ensure Drake remains the actuarial science program of choice for students seeking a career in this burgeoning field,” said Alejandro Hernandez, dean of the College of Business and Public Administration, which is home to Drake’s actuarial science program. “Our pursuit of this recognition was propelled by the encouragement of alum Jack Richards and the contributions of two current Drake students, Caitlyn Nielson and Benjamin Ticali, who together with our faculty generated this first-ever distinction for Drake.”

The annual CAS University Award program is designed to celebrate and honor universities who share the organization’s commitment to fostering the development of the next generation of property and casualty actuaries. According to the CAS, the 2022 selection process is extremely competitive with 43 institutions worldwide having sought recognition through this program and only four universities, including Drake, receiving the award.

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Drake Intercultural Community Exchange Fall 2022 sign up

The Office of Global Engagement is excited to kick off the Fall 2022 intake for Drake Intercultural Community Exchange (DICE). This volunteer program matches faculty and staff (and their families) with incoming international students for a term (or longer), with the goal of fostering meaningful connections beyond the classroom.

DICE hosts would be expected to reach out to their student two or three times a semester to grab a meal, participate in a shared interest, or meet up at DICE/ISSS-sponsored events. Participating as a DICE volunteer is open to ALL Drake faculty and staff. The only requirement is that you have a strong interest in developing an inclusive community and the desire to make our international students feel welcome.

This second year is also unique – we will now be opening our search for hosts to Drake-affiliated community members in the greater Des Moines area. If you know any interested parties, feel free to send the application to them.

If you are interested in becoming a DICE host, please complete our online application: http://drake.qualtrics.com/DICE_HostApplication

If you have any questions about the program, please send inquires to Jorona Johnson, international student advisor, at jorona.johnson@drake.edu.

— Jorona Johnson, Global Engagement

News & Achievements Archive, Strategic Updates Archive

Mark Ernst named chair of Drake University Board of Trustees 

The Drake University Board of Trustees has named alumnus and business executive Mark Ernst, BN’80, as its new chair. Ernst, who has served on the board since 2008 and is currently co-chair of The Ones: Drake’s Campaign for the Brave & Bold, will succeed Peggy Fisher who has served in the role since July 2019. Ernst will begin his term July 1. 

“I am confident that Mark’s strong leadership, vision, and commitment to Drake will propel our great University forward,” said Drake University President Marty Martin. “Mark will continue to advance the mission and global reach of the University as he has done for more than a decade. He also will continue helping to lead our comprehensive campaign along with co-chair Suzie Glazer Burt.”  

“As Mark assumes his new role as chair, I must also extend my deepest gratitude to Peggy Fisher for her steadfast leadership over the last three years,” said Martin. “Her contributions will leave a lasting impact on this great institution for many years to come.” 

Ernst is managing partner of Bellevue Capital and the former executive vice president and chief operating officer at Fiserv, Inc. Prior to joining Fiserv, Ernst served as deputy commissioner at  the Internal Revenue Service. Ernst previously led a transformation of tax and financial services at H&R Block, Inc., where he served as chairman, president, and chief executive officer from 2001 through 2007. 

“Drake is at a pivot point in the midst of changes in the higher education landscape,” said Ernst. “Leading the board at this moment, when Drake alumni and supporters have the opportunity to strengthen our campus through The Ones campaign, is an honor. We have a bold vision for what can be at Drake, and it is up to all of us to help enable that future.” 

A native of Bellevue, Iowa, Ernst earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from Drake in 1980, an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and he is a Certified Public Accountant. 

Ernst and his wife LeighAnn Davis have and continue to support Drake through several important philanthropic efforts, including a $3 million unrestricted gift to The Ones campaign, as well as significant gifts to the Robert D. and Billie Ray Promenade, Cowles Library renovation, and annual support of the Drake Fund. 

In addition to Ernst’s ascension to board chair, the Drake University Board of Trustees welcomes three new members: 

  • Martha Capps, JO’78, of Eden Prairie, Minn., principal at Capps Marketing
  • Kathleen Fehrman, of Des Moines, Iowa, managing partner of Fehrman Investments, L.L.C. and community advocate 
  • Amy Ohde, BN’98, of Atlanta, executive director of launch support at Chick-fil-A and Drake’s 2013 Young Alumni Achievement award winner 

News & Achievements Archive

Drake University Awards Honorary Degree to Mediacom CEO Rocco B. Commisso

Drake University today announced it has awarded Rocco B. Commisso, the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Mediacom Communications Corporation, an honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree.

“While other broadband providers exited Iowa, Mediacom—under Mr. Commisso’s leadership—invested in infrastructure critical to the economic vitality of our state,” said Drake University President Marty Martin. “Mediacom has demonstrated its shared commitment to Drake University’s inspiration statement: to strengthen the communities we serve.”

In 2017, Mediacom made 1-gigabit internet service available to more than 300 communities in Iowa as part of a three-year, $1 billion capital investment plan.  In 2020, Mediacom chose Iowa as the location for the first ever field trial showcasing the multi-gigabit speeds of the cable industry’s new 10G platform. 

“Rocco jumped at the opportunity to make a major investment in Iowa’s telecommunications infrastructure,” said Tom Vilsack, United States Agriculture Secretary and former Iowa governor, in a recommendation letter to the Drake University Honorary Degree Committee. “From the very beginning, Rocco promised to bring Iowans the same or better services as the residents of America’s largest metropolitan areas, and he has done so for over two decades.”

Commisso founded Mediacom in 1995 after serving as an executive for Cablevision Industries until the company’s merger with Time Warner. Since that time, Commisso has grown Mediacom into one of the largest cable television providers in the United States. After a successful initial public offering in 2000, Commisso took Mediacom private in 2011, and he and his family continue to own the company today.

“Home to nearly 1,600 of our dedicated employees and a third of our loyal customer base, Iowa has long been the crown jewel of Mediacom’s 22 state network operations,” said Commisso. “It is a tremendous privilege to receive an honorary degree from Drake, a distinguished university that sits in the heart of Iowa’s capital and whose administration, faculty and graduates have made immeasurable contributions to the state’s economic, educational and cultural advancement.” 

Commisso is a native of Calabria, Italy, and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 12. He attended Columbia University on a full undergraduate scholarship where he earned both a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and an MBA degree from the Graduate Business School. Commisso was co-captain of the soccer team during his time at Columbia. Today, he owns world-renowned ACF Fiorentina which competes in Serie A, the top division of Italian soccer. Commisso is a resident of New Jersey.

The honorary doctorate is the highest honor that the University bestows. Honorary degree recipients are selected by the Honorary Degree Committee and approved by the Faculty Senate and Drake University Board of Trustees.

About Drake University
Drake University is recognized as one of the finest national liberal arts universities. A distinctive and distinguished private university in Des Moines, Iowa, Drake enrolls nearly 3,000 undergraduate and more than 1,800 graduate students. Students choose from more than 70 majors, minors, and concentrations and 20 graduate degrees offered through seven colleges and schools. In addition, Drake offers a range of continuing education programs serving working professionals, community members, and area businesses. Drake recognizes the importance of its location in Iowa’s capital city and seeks to connect its teaching and learning to the wealth of cultural, recreational, and business resources it provides. At the same time, it integrates global thinking and intercultural learning into everything it does, preparing students to lead in an increasingly interconnected world.

About Mediacom Communications
Mediacom Communications Corporation is the 5th largest cable operator in the United States and the leading gigabit broadband provider to smaller markets primarily in the Midwest and Southeast. Through its fiber-rich network, Mediacom provides high-speed data, video and phone services to over 1.5 million households and businesses across 22 states. The company delivers scalable broadband solutions to commercial and public-sector customers of all sizes through Mediacom Business, and sells advertising and production services under the OnMedia brand. More information about Mediacom is available at mediacomcable.com.

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Time to play HealthyU BINGO

Join us in July for HealthyU BINGO.  The goal is to fill up a blank BINGO card (or two), during the month, with healthy activities completed from a provided list.  Then, in August, we will get together to play games of HealthyU BINGO for prizes.

You are welcome to fill out the HealthyU BINGO card without playing the BINGO games, but who doesn’t like playing BINGO!

To get started, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu. Deadline to register is Thursday, June 30.  All participants will receive an email with an attached packet that includes directions, a list of HealthyU BINGO activities, and a blank BINGO card.  You are welcome to make multiple copies of this card.

Please feel free to reach out with questions.  This is a great event for the whole family!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive, For Faculty Archive

Deputy Provost 2:10: Megan Brown named director of Writing Workshop

Each Tuesday in OnCampus the Deputy Provost shares two articles with a read time of 10 minutes.

Please welcome Professor Megan Brown into an additional new role at Drake University—director of writing.  Starting July 1 as director of writing, Professor Brown will oversee and advise the work of our Drake student tutors in the Writing Workshop; she will also convene and participate in faculty development around the teaching and evaluation of writing across the disciplines.

Megan has taught writing across a variety of settings, and with diverse populations, for more than twenty years, and we are fortunate to have her as both a professor of English and a founding faculty member of the John Dee Bright College.  She is the author of two books, and a dozen articles and essays; at Drake, Megan teaches a range of writing-related courses, including Narrative Nonfiction.

We are thrilled that she will bring her expertise to the Writing Workshop, as well as her commitment to building rapport and community with students and faculty, in the belief that we can all develop our writing skills and capacities.

— Renée Ann Cramer, Deputy Provost

For Faculty Archive

Deputy Provost 2:10: Big announcements for faculty, academic year 2022–2023

Each Tuesday in OnCampus the Deputy Provost shares two articles with a read time of 10 minutes.

Interdisciplinary Intergenerational Faculty Mentoring Cohorts! The office of the deputy provost will provide a bit of training, small stipends, organizational support, and money for hospitality to assistant, associate, and full faculty who volunteer to be part of mentoring cohorts for and with our incoming class of new faculty.  I’m spending the summer organizing the groups – and would love to have you volunteer (if you’ve already emailed, you’re on my list – but I’m still seeking more people to join us).  Email me at renee.cramer@drake.edu with “Mentoring” in the subject line, and I’ll reach out in late July/early August.

Getting Ready to Hire Center for Teaching Excellence Director! After spending a year getting my arms around the newly configured role of deputy provost, I’m ready to begin building out the Center for Teaching Excellence.  In early August, I will circulate a call for CTE Director with details about duties and compensation.  As a preview: the role will begin January 1, and the term will be for three years, with renewal upon review, for up to two terms.  In the fall of 2022, the incoming CTE director will attend the POD Network in person workshop in Seattle, as part of professional development in advance of taking on the role.

I’m making this announcement now so that interested faculty can begin to think about applying.  Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have, prior to the announcement of the position.

— Renée Ann Cramer, Deputy Provost

News & Achievements Archive

Iowa Supreme Court Justice Brent Appel to join Law School faculty

Drake University Law School is pleased to announce that Iowa Supreme Court Justice Brent Appel will join the full-time faculty upon his retirement from the Court at the end of July. He will teach Professional Responsibility and State Constitutional Law, in addition to seminars and other courses.

“We are so honored to welcome Justice Appel to our faculty,” said Drake Law Dean Jerry Anderson. “He has been a brilliant jurist and will draw on a wealth of experience both on the bench and in the courtroom. In addition to his impressive resume, Justice Appel has served as an adjunct professor and as supervisor and mentor for our Supreme Court interns.  We’re thrilled that he has such a passion for teaching and helping to train future generations of lawyers.”

“I look forward to the exciting opportunity to be part of the Drake Law community and to this new chapter in my professional career.” said Appel.

Justice Appel was appointed to the Iowa Supreme Court in 2006. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stanford University, and his JD from the University of California, Berkeley, where he served on the board of editors of the California Law Review. During his time at Berkeley Law, he won the McBaine Moot Court competition and the Jamieson Award for Outstanding Scholarship and Advocacy. After graduation, Appel clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He then served as first assistant attorney general and then as deputy attorney general of Iowa from 1979 to 1986. During this time, he argued and briefed four cases before the United States Supreme Court. At the time of his appointment to the Iowa Supreme Court in 2006, he was a partner at Wandro, Baer & Appel in Des Moines, where his practice focused on commercial litigation, employment law and personal injury.

In 2010, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts appointed Appel to the Federal Advisory Committee on the Rules of Evidence, where he served until 2016. In 2022, Appel received The Iowa State Bar Association’s Rolland E. Grefe Pro Bono Publico Award for his leadership in advocating for access to justice for all Iowans throughout his career, and for his outstanding work as the chair of the Iowa Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission since it was formed in 2016.

— Theresa Howard, Law School